Runaways (Orphans 5)

"What good would that do? He'd claim Crystal left the door unlocked and how was he to know she was in the tub," I said.

"Brooke's right," Raven said.

"But what about the things he said to her. They were nasty things," Butterfly declared. "He didn't really mean apples."

"He'll deny saying it, Butterfly," I said. "Please. Let me just think a minute "

We all looked at Crystal again. She was still shaking. Raven went to the tub and sat beside her, putting her arm around her.

"Easy."

"I was so . . . scared."

"Let's join," Butterfly said.

"Now?" I asked.

Raven nodded.

We moved closer to them and we all touched our heads.

"We're sisters. We're together. Nothing bad can happen to one of us as long as we're together," we chanted, Crystal finally joining in. Color returned to her face.

"It was awful," Crystal whimpered.

"I know how it can be," Raven said. She looked from one of us to the other. "I've caught him looking in on me sometimes, too."

"You never told me that," I said.

She shrugged.

"He didn't ever touch you, did he?" I couldn't believe that Gordon was so evil.

"No. Never. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want to get everyone any more scared of him," she said. "But if he ever tried to touch my apples, I'd raise his voice a few octaves."

"What does that mean?" Butterfly asked. "Never mind," I said. "Are you all right?" I asked Crystal.

"I'm fine now. just dry myself of and go to

bed. Thanks, everyone."

"Let's all get to bed," I decided. We started for the door.

"Brooke."

I turned.

"What?"

"I want to hear your plan, every detail. After tomorrow's tests," Crystal said.

I nodded, sad that this was the way Crystal had come to believe in me and my plans.

"You really have a plan, I hope," she said, swallowing down her sobs.

"Oh yes," I answered. "I have a good plan. Did you get the maps?"

She nodded,